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Local Land Services understaffed

Cattle at Burren Junction in northern NSW. Some farmers are having their applications to use stock routes knocked back because of overwhelming demand.

Lisa Herbert

Amid unprecedented demand on travelling stock reserves (TSR) in northern New South Wales, the agency responsible for the stock routes' management admits it's understaffed and overworked.

North West Local Land Services general manager Ken Flower says three ranger positions remain vacant after the late 2013 merger of the Livestock Health and Pest Authority, Catchment Management Authority and Department of Primary Industries.

"I have got other staff covering those ranger positions.

"We're 17 staff down at the minute, due to the restructure.

"We've ended up quite short-handed."

Mr Flower says there are experienced staff filling the void left by the unfilled ranger positions.

"They're doing a good job but it does take time to fill these positions.

One of the four key roles played by Local Land Services is to protect New South Wales from biosecurity threats including animal and plant pests, and diseases.

Mr Flower denies the state's biosecurity has been put at risk by low staffing levels in the north west.

"The biosecurity function is keeping an eye on things.

"Luckily we haven't had an major challenges with that.

"I don't think it's (biosecurity) at risk.

"What is at risk is that we've got some overworked staff at the minute."

The travelling stock reserves on the northern tablelands are also under pressure.

The Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is responsible for 40,000 hectares of stock routes.

General manager Paul Hutchings says, at the end January, 470 permits had been issued, and there are now 30,000 head of livestock using the stock routes.

He admits many farmers have not be granted permits to use stock routes.

'It's a land tenure that does have limitations in terms of width, access, and water in some areas.

"Some people want to be able to access the same piece of reserve and that becomes quite tricky to manage.

At the moment the system has been first in, first served.

"There are strengths and weaknesses with that and I can see some great opportunities for improving that system."

Mr Hutchings was unsure of how many staff were responsible for managing the stock routes as part of their larger 'biosecurity duties'.

"Maybe six or seven biosecurity ranger staff.

"We've got a crew based out of Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale and Inverell who are there to provide the service."